The 49ers must sell 30-year-old Leeds United player now, even for a massive £14m loss

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Leeds United are set to make a loss of nearly £14m on Diego Llorente but it is a deal that The 49ers simply have to rubber stamp and get done – with Llorente’s future at Elland Road completely over.

Llorente, 30, moved to Elland Road for a whopping £18m in the summer of 2020 – but the Spain star failed to ever really win fans over. Numerous injuries in his first season, struggling form in his second.

He remained for half of 2022-23 before being shipped off to Roma on loan, where he reunited with Jose Mourinho – the man who gave him his professional debut at Madrid. He’s had a better time of it in Italy.

A Europa League final last season, Llorente remained on loan in the summer and has been largely first choice this term – with Chris Smalling injured. His form has been decent, and Roma are set to buy him.

Leeds set to make £14m Diego Llorente loss as Roma move nears

According to Metropolitan Magazine, Roma are closing in on a £4.3m deal for Llorente. It will see Leeds make a loss of nearly £14m on the defender, but now, it is a deal The 49ers simply have to sanction.

It has gone past the point in which Llorente can reignite his Leeds spell. A player that is clearly way better in a League where the tempo is slower. Spain perhaps, but Italy definitely. His wages are big, too.

Roma are likely to be paying them at the moment but if Leeds can get his name off the wage bill and still bring in a bit of cash to reinvest on the playing squad, even if it is a loss of £13.7m, then it must be done.